Phillies avoid arbitration with Jeremy Hellickson, Jeanmar Gomez

by Matt Gelb, Posted: January 15, 2016

The Phillies have agreed to one-year contracts with Jeremy Hellickson and Jeanmar Gomez, their final two arbitration-eligible players.

Hellickson, according to CSNPhilly.com, will earn $7 million in 2016. The Phillies acquired the 28-year-old righthander in a trade with Arizona last month to augment the starting rotation's young arms.

Gomez signed a deal worth $1.4 million late Thursday, according to multiple reports. He led all Phillies relievers with 74 2/3 innings in 2015.

Hellickson, a free agent at season's end, has made at least 27 starts in four of his six seasons. He was the American League rookie of the year in 2011. Last season, his first in the National League, resulted in a 4.62 ERA in 27 starts for Arizona.

Gomez, 27, came to the Phillies in 2015 on a minor-league contract and became a reliable relief presence. He will again be expected to chew up middle innings for a young pitching staff. Gomez had a 3.01 ERA last season.

The signings bump the Phillies' current 2016 payroll to $87.25 million - including a $12.5 million buyout paid to Cliff Lee and $2.5 million salary for Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, who is no longer on the 40-man roster.